Fluid Control Device with Projection for High Discharge Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid pumps face limitations in miniaturization while maintaining performance, as they tend to experience decreased discharge pressure and flow rate when made smaller, making it difficult to achieve high discharge pressure without reducing flow rate.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control device with a vibrating plate and a movable portion that includes a projection, where the distance between the actuator and the flexible plate is narrowed by the projection, allowing for increased discharge pressure without decreasing flow rate, achieved through a configuration where the projection is positioned between the hole and the region of the vibrating plate facing the hole, and the end of the projection tapers towards the peripheral edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fluid pump is miniaturized, then the device size is reduced, but the discharge pressure and flow rate decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible plate is divided into a movable portion and a fixing portion, with the movable portion freely movable and the fixing portion fixed to the case. This segmentation allows the movable portion to vibrate with larger amplitude while the fixing portion provides stable support, thereby maintaining pump performance even in a miniaturized device.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the vibrating plate and flexible plate is made non-uniform: smaller in the region facing the movable portion (to enhance vibration transmission and discharge pressure) and larger in the region facing the fixing portion (to prevent vibration restriction). This local variation in spacing optimizes both pressure and flow rate in the miniaturized pump.
2Stress or pressure
If the distance between the vibrating plate and flexible plate is reduced, then discharge pressure increases, but vibration transmission may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spacing strategies to different regions: a smaller distance in the movable portion region to maximize discharge pressure, and a larger distance in the fixing portion region to maintain vibration freedom. This resolves the contradiction between pressure enhancement and vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the flexible plate into movable and fixing portions with different boundary conditions, the patent allows different spacing characteristics in different regions, thereby simultaneously achieving high discharge pressure and unrestricted vibration transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The configuration enhances pressure efficiency and compression ratio, allowing for high discharge pressure and flow rate despite a small size and low profile design, by ensuring effective vibration transmission and preventing vibration restriction.
Implementation Method 1
when driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 32, the vibrating plate 31 bends and vibrates as a result of the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element 32
Implementation Method 2
The circular exposed portion of the flexible plate 35 can vibrate at a frequency substantially the same as a frequency of the actuator 30 through the pressure fluctuation of fluid accompanied by the vibration of the actuator 30
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fluid control device (101) includes a vibrating plate (141) including a first main surface and a second main surface, a driver (142) that is provided on the first main surface of the vibrating plate and vibrates the vibrating plate, and a plate (151, 451) that is provided on the second main surface of the vibrating plate and has a hole (152) provided thereon. At least one of either the vibrating plate or the plate is positioned between the hole and a region of the vibrating plate facing the hole, and includes a projection (143) projecting in a direction intermediate between the hole and the region of the vibrating plate facing the hole.